Got some questions and need some advice! *long story*

[submarinerssbn]

I don't know if i am qualified to tell you what you should go after or not but don't let anyone tell you that you can't follow a dream or a want.

 

[submarinerssbn]

One other thing, don't believe in the negative thoughts of recruiters, i was going to join go to college then be a pilot but my fu%&ing recruiter said i would'nt make it, and that it is to hard. I wound up joining enlisted being on a sub for 5 1/2years, and then going to college and trying to be a pilot, i could have been flying by know if it weren't for him. Anyways take ahold ofwhat you want to do and stick with it and don't let them dictate to you if you will make it, if you don't get accepted, you gave it a shot, then proceed to the next best thing. I have talked to alot of pilots and they say it was worth everything they had to do to get there. i say go all in.

 

[Uncle Fester]

I'd just add to this that you want to be in shape before you walk in the door of OCS - Navy or USMC. One, because the program's hard enough without struggling with the PT. Two, and perhaps more important, you don't want to give the DI's ANY reason to single you out of the herd. OCS is a good time to be the gray man. Showing up overweight and/or out of shape is basically painting a big ol' target on yourself. And a Marine DI isn't going to look at someone and say, "oh, well, he's a bit husky, but he's pretty much in shape".

 

[MasterBates]

And a Marine DI isn't going to look at someone and say, "oh, well, he's a bit husky, but he's pretty much in shape".

I speak from experience on this one. He's not kidding.

I just am grateful that there were Nukes that made me look like a Male Underwear Model compared to them.

 

[ChunksJR]

I too favor a pilot slot, but would gladly accept any position that got me in the air.

There are a lot of people in the world that wants that. You have to have the gumption and self-confidence to explain why you deserve that shot, and don't let that first JO (not meaning Junior Officer here) tell YOU what you have a "chance" for.

With that being said, you'll have a better experience if you join the US Navy/Marine Corps to serve first and foremost.

The only first choice I've ever gotten with the Navy has been aviation, and I wouldn't have changed anything that's happened to me. That's the joy of this whole thing...if my heart surgery (when I was 7) had prevented me from flying, I would have loved to "Fly" as sub. Either way, you'll get an experience like no other. See my other latest post about going back to your 10yr high school reunion and having a "gathering" of your former peers listening to sea stories...it's not just in aviation: we're just better at glamorizing it because such a large % of us enjoy what we do.

Good luck and hopefully we'll see you in helos,
~D